RVA Coupon Pros School Supply Challenge

I had an exciting afternoon meeting with a few fellow frugal bloggers at Kroger for lunch today.  They invited us to tell us about an exciting opportunity to use the power of shopping sales and coupons and help school children in Richmond.

Back: Alison, Angie, Eleanor, Anjie, Carl York or Kroger

Front: Tiffany & me

We were given a challenge and encouraged to share it with others – to see how many school supplies we can buy for $10.  (Before tax and not a penny more!)  The school supplies are going to the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond who said,  “77% of our Club members qualify for Federal Free/Reduced Lunches, so providing them with school supplies will be such a big financial help to their families while also providing confidence and positive momentum as they enter a new school year.” 

This is a great opportunity to share with others and if you really think about it, it is only costing you $2.50 a week to help.  In addition to the supplies that we collect and drop off Kroger is offering to match our donations up to $1000!  What an impact!

As if seeing how far you can stretch your $10 wasn’t enough of an incentive, Kroger is also offering an incentive to shop there.  Any school supply purchases made at any Kroger will have their monetary value doubled as a bonus towards their overall totals.  You want to be the one with the highest total because there are prizes!!!!

• 1st Place: $200 Kroger Gift Card
• 2nd Place: $100 Kroger Gift Card
• 3rd Place:  $50 Kroger Gift Card

To make sure we all stay honest and play fair there are some guidelines for the challenge.  You will need to download a spreadsheet and keep all of your receipts for your purchases.  There are also guidelines regarding using any rewards points, Extracare Bucks, Register Rewards, etc. 

If you want to participate here is a link to the spreadsheet and the official rules.  You can also see the rules and talk about your shopping trips on the RVA Coupon Pros Facebook page - don’t forget to “like” them.  :)

Let’s show Richmond that saving money is cool and how much we can give back!

~Ann

Life and Death–with my Container Garden

I have been struggling once again with keeping some plants alive while others are thriving.  I never claimed to have a green thumb, and now I know without a doubt that I don’t have one.  Here is a link to my last gardening post so you can see the growth and death that has happened over the last 10 days. 

The butternut squash have really taken off.  I saw one of the first blooms on the plant this week, so I hope we get to enjoy our own butternut squash this fall.  I decided a fungus killed my yellow squash and not bore worm after thinking about what Miriam pointed out to me on my last post.  I did see red squash bug eggs on these leaves, but I am hopeful that we got all of them.

I have lots of little blooms like this on my cucumber plants.  We like cucumbers, hopefully we will be enjoying lots of them this summer.  I may even look into making pickles.

Natalie and Megan are posing with a fresh picked cucumber in front of our cucumber vines.

I lost the zucchini the that were in the bed with the cucumbers.  I was really excited to see the first signs of real zucchini.  I was checking on them Saturday afternoon and barely lifted the leaves back to look underneath and the stem broke.  It was very yellow inside.  I think it was another death by fungus.  I looked closely at the other plants and they had the same problem.  We removed all of them Saturday.

 

The grape tomato “trees” are overtaking the bed.  They are producing lots of grape tomatoes!

When you pull back the grape tomatoes you can see the banana peppers underneath.  This is the biggest one, but I have several baby ones (like in the picture below) and more blooms.

If you look closely behind the pepper plant you can see a group of green grape tomatoes hanging down.

The non-tomato eater doesn’t know what to do with these tomatoes.  They don’t seem to really be getting larger, but they haven’t started to turn color either.  I bought this plant from the farmer’s market and I am wondering if it was a green tomato plant.  Any tips?

We even have a cherry tomato plant growing in our driveway.  It popped up last year next to where Steve parks his car.  We think the seeds got there from some cherry tomatoes his mom gave the kids.  We think one dropped when they were getting out of the car and the seeds grew into the plant.  We pulled it up in the fall, but it looks like we have another one.

You can see we already have a few cherry tomatoes growing on the plant.  Thank goodness Steve and the kids like tomatoes.

Please keep checking back for my gardening progress (or defeats). I am also linking this post to Frugal Gardening 101 hosted by Connie and Amy. Check out what other gardeners are accomplishing!

~Ann

MARTIN’S Top Deals for the Week of July 24th

Click here to view an on-line version of this week’s ad. Click here for information about MARTIN’S coupon policy. The ad and the coupon policy are for the Richmond, VA area. There is the possibility of some variances in other areas.

Check out Money Saving Mom for my MARTIN’S top deals in addition to top deals for other grocery stores, drug stores, and discount stores from other deal seekers.

Here are what I consider to be the top deals this week at MARTIN’S. I verify the coupons that I mention with what I receive in my local paper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch (RTD). Coupons are regional so you may not have the exact same coupon or the same face value. Remember what I consider to be a good deal and what you consider to be a good deal may differ. Please feel free to leave me a comment with any deals that you find.

Don’t forget about these promotions that I have shared in previous posts:

Viva Single Roll Towels Catalina

I saw a Catalina deal on couponnetwork.com about Viva Single Roll Paper Towels.  I decided to try it out today and it worked!

Here is a close-up of the Catalina:

(It has a piece of tape on the front -I either got the beginning of the roll or the end of the roll.)

Here are the details for the deal (according to the Catalina) :

Buy Viva Single Roll Paper Towels Between 7/15 & 8/7/11 :

Buy (2) & Get $1 off your next order

Buy (3) & Get $1.50 off your next order

Buy (4) & Get $2.50 off your next order

Coupon printed at register (Remember Catalinas don’t print until the end of your transaction – after you have paid and your receipt is printing.)

All items must be purchased in one shopping order.  Limit to product in stock.  No Cash Back.

The Viva Single Roll Towels are on sale thru 7/30 for $1.89 each and there were $0.85/1 coupons in the 7/17 SmartSource insert.

Deal Scenario:

Buy (4) Viva Single Roll Towels = $7.56

Redeem (4) $0.85/1 coupons = (-$3.55) remember only one coupon will “double” to $1

Pay the cashier $4.01 (+ tax)

Earn a Catalina for $2.50 off your next order

Final Price = $1.51 or $0.38 each

If you still have any $2.50 Catalinas from the Budweiser Barbecue Sauce deal last week this is a great way to pay even less out of pocket and “roll” your Catalina. 

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad

Menu planning and saving money really can go hand-in-hand. It is important to realize that you can still enjoy some of your family’s favorite meals by menu planning with a sales flyer, you just need to be flexible.

I am including ideas and recipes for four meals. I have found that I really only cook on average four meals a week and that we end up having at least one left-over night, one meal out, and something easy like homemade pizza or breakfast for dinner.

Coupons mentioned in this post that do not state where you can find them are listed in my weekly top deals post. Feel free to check it out for deals on other items that you can pick-up to fill your refrigerator or pantry for less.

Spaghetti & Meatballs:

I know it has been close to 100 degrees outside this week, and next week doesn’t look any better, but spaghetti and meatballs is a year round meal.  (No pun intended)  The Cooked Perfect Meatballs are on sale, and so is the Ragu spaghetti sauce, and GIANT brand pasta.  We like to add a little shredded cheese to the top of our plates, if you like that as well the Sargento shredded cheese is also on sale.  Don’t forget to check out the produce section to grab a bag of Dole salad that is on sale this week and hit the bakery for a fresh loaf of bread.  It is a quick and easy meal to pull together and hopefully won’t heat up your kitchen too much.

Meatball Subs:

This is what Sandra Lee would call a “Round 2 Recipe”.  I always seem to end up with leftover sauce and meatballs when I make spaghetti and meatballs for us. If you grab an extra loaf of baguette and some provolone cheese while you are in the store you can have a leftover night that seems like a new meal.  We like to have chips with sandwiches, but you could grab a bag of the GIANT brand frozen fries that are $3 this week.

Sirloin Steak with Garlic Butter:

If you decided to take advantage of the sirloin steak that is on sale this week and want to try something different check out this recipe .  My mouth was watering when I read it.   It would be great served with a baked potato (the 5lb bag of russet potatoes are on sale for $3.49) and a bag of Dole salad that is also on sale this week.  If you want some different bread try out the Ecce Panis Neo Tuscan Boule.  It is my favorite bread!

BLT Sandwiches:

I feel like a BLT sandwich is synonymous with summer.  How can you go wrong with fresh bread and crisp bacon and lettuce.  (I don’t like tomatoes so I can’t elaborate on them.)  Kunzler Bacon is on sale this week as are the on the vine tomatoes.  I have recently started cooking bacon on my George Foreman Grill to keep the bacon from sitting in the grease.  I still drain them on a paper towel, but it isn’t nearly as greasy as when I cook it in the microwave, on the stove, or in oven.  If you want chips with your sandwich Utz chips are sale this week for $2.50.

Have you tried out any of the recipes I have shared?  What did you think?  What types of meals do you prepare for your family when it is hot outside?  Feel free to share.

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

What I found by my backdoor…

I came home this morning from taking the kids to the park for a little bit and discovered this basket in the shade near my backdoor -

A dear friend of ours was on her way back from Georgia on Monday and called me to see if I wanted any peaches.  She graciously picked me up a half bushel.  I am so sorry you can’t scratch and sniff your computer screen because they smell delicious!

I saw the basket when we pulled up and got the kids in the house and walked back out to get them.  I saw a chipmunk scurrying away from the basket when I turned the corner and then I saw this peach near the top-

I didn’t see a bite mark, but he definitely left his mark.  I don’t think we are going to eat that one.

I also had another back door delivery today. 

I got my latest produce box delivery from Dominion Harvest today.  It is like Christmas when I get to open up my box and see what treasures they have packed inside.  This week’s box included cantaloupe, Hanover tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, onions, cucumbers, yellow squash, okra, green peppers, and 1lb of blueberries.  I was most excited about the yellow squash since my plants died.

I have signed up for the smallest package, the Commonwealth Box.  It is $37 per box. I also signed up for the every two week delivery option.  The produce varies by what is in season, but it is from local farms.  They even attach a sheet to the box listing what is inside and what farm what produce came from.  I really enjoy the fact that on Thursdays they send out recipes that utilize the produce in that week’s box.  I didn’t get to try any out last time, but I always enjoy reading new recipes.

This is my second box and I love the fact that I don’t have to go to the store or remember what day and time the local farmer’s market is open to get fresh local produce.  I think I am coming out ahead in the cost of the box and what the produce would cost in the store.  I figured that in the store I would have paid at least $40 – and that would require me going to at least two stores to get the best price on everything.  I also save money by not having to go to the store in gas and last minute purchases. 

Do you belong to a co-op or a delivery service like Dominion Harvest?  Do you go to the local farmer’s market once or twice a week?  Do you have an overflowing garden that you get to enjoy (and share)?  Please feel free to share.

~Ann

MARTIN’S Top Deals for the Week of July 17

Click here to view an on-line version of this week’s ad. Click here for information about MARTIN’S coupon policy. The ad and the coupon policy are for the Richmond, VA area. There is the possibility of some variances in other areas.

Check out Money Saving Mom for my MARTIN’S top deals in addition to top deals for other grocery stores, drug stores, and discount stores from other deal seekers.

Here are what I consider to be the top deals this week at MARTIN’S. I verify the coupons that I mention with what I receive in my local paper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch (RTD). Coupons are regional so you may not have the exact same coupon or the same face value. Remember what I consider to be a good deal and what you consider to be a good deal may differ. Please feel free to leave me a comment with any deals that you find.

Also – check back on Thursday for my Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad post.

Don’t forget about the Dole promotion that I have shared in previous posts:

Save $2 Instantly When you Buy 2 Dole Salads Blends and 2 Kraft Salad Dressings (14-16oz) thru August 27.

The price of meat is really going up, but I am hopeful to still hit my target of $1.99/lb or  less for boneless skinless chicken and ground beef by keeping an eye out for markdowns in addition to the sale prices this week.  If I don’t find it, that is ok.  That is why I buy extra when it is on sale at my target price and stick it in the freezer. 

Meat:

• GIANT Brand Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks (Value Pack) – $0.99/lb

Update on my Summer Project–A Container Garden

Here is a link to my last post if you want to compare the improvements and failures that have happened over the past two weeks.

We were able to enjoy the two squash that I showed in my last gardening post.  They were yummy, but something got to my squash plants.  I think it might have been bore worms. I was checking for eggs and didn’t see any.  My only thought is that they attached and did their dirty work while we were on vacation. 

Steve noticed the middle plant was dead at the base of the vine (the leaves were going from a vibrant green to a pale yellow) last Saturday when he was attaching the plants to stakes to get them to grow up and not out.  He pulled it out and we were hopeful that the rest of plants would survive.  We didn’t think it was bore worms at the time, we thought the base had rotted because it was being watered at the base in addition to several big rain storms that had come through that week.  I noticed during the rest of the week that the rest of my squash plants seem to have fallen prey to the same thing.  Here is a picture of my once beautiful squash bed.

I have lost all of my yellow squash – the one thing I was most excited about.  I am not sure if the butternut squash are going to make it or not either.  I am keeping an eye on them, but I noticed that the leaves are starting to yellow when I was taking the pictures.

 

My strawberries are producing well about every two to three weeks. It looks like this may be a good strawberry week coming up with all the green berries on the bushes. I am hopeful that we get some of the berries this time and not the critters.

 

The zucchini plants that I thought were goners seem to still be holding on.  I still haven’t seen any blooms, but they are getting bigger and their color is improving. 

The pot next to this bed is a complete goner.  I didn’t even take a picture of it, I figure you know what a pot of dirt looks like.

 

The cucumber vines are doing well. We have our first real cucumber growing on a vine. In case you can’t see it, our cucumber is against the stake behind the leaf.  (The baby one that I had in my last post never got any bigger.)

 

My tomato plants and my pepper plants are both thriving.  The grape tomato plants are growing like crazy and we joke that we don’t just have tomato plants, we have tomato trees.  We have been picking about 20 grape tomatoes twice a week.

 

We have our first tomatoes growing on our tomato plant.   (People who really know me will find it ironic that the one thing that is growing well in my garden is the tomatoes.  I don’t like tomatoes.)

 

My pepper plants.  We have our first banana pepper growing.  It is hard to see in the picture, but trust me it is there.  I can’t wait to have these on hand in the freezer for chili this winter. 

Please keep checking back for my gardening progress (or defeats). I am also linking this post to Frugal Gardening 101 series hosted by Phoebe, Connie and Amy. Check out what other gardeners are accomplishing!

~Ann

Menu Planning with MARTIN’S Ad

Menu planning and saving money really can go hand-in-hand. It is important to realize that you can still enjoy some of your family’s favorite meals by menu planning with a sales flyer, you just need to be flexible.

I am including ideas and recipes for four meals. I have found that I really only cook on average four meals a week and that we end up having at least one left-over night, one meal out, and something easy like homemade pizza or breakfast for dinner.

Coupons mentioned in this post that do not state where you can find them are listed in my weekly top deals post. Feel free to check it out for deals on other items that you can pick-up to fill your refrigerator or pantry for less.

Curried Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups:

I made this chicken salad this past weekend for a reception that I was in charge of at our church.  This recipe was so delicious and really easy to make – even when I made it for 200 people.  I cooked bone-in chicken breast (because they were on sale last week), but you could use the Perdue Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast that are on sale this week.  The sweetness of the raisins and the crunch of the almonds really added to this chicken salad. 

I don’t use a lot of curry – if you don’t either make sure you grab the $1/1 Sauer’s coupon from the 6/19 RedPlum insert.  One tip for finding herbs and spices for less is to look outside of the grocery store.  I needed a lot of curry to make this recipe for 200 people and when I looked in the grocery store it seemed expensive.  I went to an ethnic market and found a 1/4lb container of curry that was less expensive than the small bottle I saw on the spice aisle in the store.

Feel free to substitute the Romaine Hearts that are on sale this week for the Boston Lettuce or just serve this on your favorite cracker or bread.  

Salsa Chicken Burrito Filling:

I made this recipe this week in my crockpot and it was super easy and delicious.  I had about two pounds of boneless skinless chicken breast and made a few slight changes, instead of using the salsa I used a can of Rotel tomatoes that I had in my pantry and even with double the amount of chicken I only used on packet of taco seasoning.  The Chi-Chi’s salsa is only $1.50 after sale and coupon if you want to try that out. 

We enjoyed ours with some of the leftover lettuce I had from the reception and a side of black beans and tortilla chips.  If you want to make burritos or soft tacos don’t forget that you can grab the Chi-Chi’s tortillas for $0.50 after sale and coupon.  I pulled out our normal taco toppings and everyone (even little Michael) liked the filling. 

Honey-Orange Marinated Salmon:

I have made this recipe before and it was really easy and tasted good.  I tried to boil and reduce the remaining marinade and use it as a sauce and instead ended up with a huge mess.  I actually wrote about it in this post.  (By the way the pan did finally get clean with a lot of soaking and scrubbing.)

This is a really easy dish to pull together with the fresh salmon fillet on sale this week for $9.99/lb.  The majority of the marinade ingredients are items that most people keep on hand, and it really does taste great with some easy sides like rice and steamed vegetables.

Barbecue Pork Chops:

I got a bunch of the Budweiser Barbecue Sauce that was part of this awesome deal this past week.  (By the way I made sure to leave plenty on the shelves for others.)  I am now on a mission to find ways to use my supply of sauce.  I saw the bone-in center cut pork chops on sale for $2.49/lb this week and think that grilling up some pork chops and slathering them with barbecue sauce for the last few minutes would be a quick and easy dinner.  This can also be a great meal to keep your kitchen cool in the summer.  You can steam some vegetables either in your microwave or on the stove and add some baking potatoes wrapped in foil to the grill before the chops.

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

MARTIN’S Top Deals for the Week of July 10th

Click here to view an on-line version of this week’s ad. Click here for information about MARTIN’S coupon policy.  The ad and the coupon policy are for the Richmond, VA area.  There is the possibility of some variances in other areas.

Check out Money Saving Mom for my MARTIN’S top deals in addition to top deals for other grocery stores, drug stores, and discount stores from other deal seekers.

Here are what I consider to be the top deals this week at MARTIN’S.  I verify the coupons that I mention with what I receive in my local paper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch (RTD).  Coupons are regional so you may not have the exact same coupon or the same face value.  Remember what I consider to be a good deal and what you consider to be a good deal may differ.  Please feel free to leave me a comment with any deals that you find.

Also – check back on Thursday for my Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad post.

Don’t forget about the Dole promotion that I have shared in previous posts:

Save $2 Instantly When you Buy 2 Dole Salads Blends 2/$5 this week and 2 Kraft Salad Dressings (14-16oz) 2/$5 through August.  (Make sure to use the $1/2 Kraft Salad Dressings coupon that was in the 6/19 SmartSource insert with this offer for an even better deal!)

Meat:

• GIANT Brand Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters (Value Pack) – $0.89/lb
• USDA Choice New York Strip – $6.99/lb
• Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (Value Pack) – 50% off ($2.44/lb at the store I was in Monday)
• Steak-umm Sliced Steaks (24oz) – Buy One Get One Free ($9.99 at the store I was in Monday)
• Pork Loin Bone-In Country Style Ribs (Value Pack) – $1.99/lb
• Fresh Pork Chops Econo-Pack – $1.69/lb
• Banquet Brown ‘N Serve Sausage Links or Patties – $1

Produce:

• Driscoll’s Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, or Blackberries – $2
  • Sign-up here for a $0.50/1 coupon
  • $1 after sale and coupon
• Dole Special Blend Salad or Complete Kit – $2.50
• Tomatoes on the Vine – $1.49/lb
• Foxy Romaine Hearts – $2
• Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob – $0.20
• Fresh Virginia Blackberries – $2.99/lb
• Fresh Green Peppers – $0.99
• Fresh Cucumbers – $2
• Fresh Lemons or Limes – $0.50
• Fresh Kiwi – $0.33
• Seedless Hot House Cucumbers – $2
• Green or Yellow Squash – $1.49/lb

Dairy/Refrigerated Items:

• GIANT Shredded or Chunk Cheese – $1.67
• GIANT Grade A Large White Eggs – $1.29/dozen

Grocery: (I am going to write a separate post about the Kashi Deal)

Check out this post for how to get paid to buy Budweiser Barbecue Sauce and get free gas from buying Sprout Organic Baby Food

• Barilla Pasta – $1
  • $1/2 Barilla Piccolini from 6/26 SmartSource insert (not in RTD)
  • Use $1 off on Package Barilla Pasta and 1 jar Barilla Pasta Sauce in Summer Savings Booklet
  • As low as $0.50 a box after sale and coupon
• Thomas; English Muffins (6-pack) – 50% off ($1.89 at the store I was in Monday)
• Pepperidge Farm Cookies – 50% off ($1.74 at the store I was in Monday)
  • Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 6/26 SmartSource insert
  • $1.24 each after sale and coupon
• GIANT Brand Cereals – $1.99
  • Buy 5 in one transaction and get $5 off instantly
  • $0.99 each after sale
• Glaceau Vitamin Water – $0.88 (Must buy 5)
• Clif or Luna Bar – $1
• Chi-Chi’s Tortillas – $1.50
  • Use $0.50/1 from 6/12 SmartSource insert
  • $0.50 after sale and coupon
• Chi-Chi’s Salsa – $2.50
  • Use $0.50/1 from SmartSource insert
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Wish-Bone Salad Dressing – $1.25
• Nature Valley Granola Bars – $2.50
  • Buy 2 and use $0.50/2 from 5/22 SmartSource insert or $0.85/2 printable  or  $0.75/2 printable
  • $2 each after sale and coupon
• Nature Valley Granola Thins – $2.50
  • Use $0.50/1 from 6/26 SmartSource insert or $0.60/1 printable or $0.50/1 printable
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Budweiser Barbecue Sauce – $1
• Sprout Organic Baby Food – $0.89
• V8 Splash – $2
• Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 6/5 SmartSource insert
• $1.50 each after sale and coupon (Thanks Andrea!)
• Pompeian Balsalmic Vinegar – $2.49
• Use $0.50/1 printable or Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 5/22 RedPlum insert not in RTD)
• As low as $1.49 each after sale and coupon (Thanks Andrea!)
• Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil – $3.49
• Use $1/1 printable or $1/1 from 5/22 RedPlum insert (not in RTD)
• $2.49 after sale and coupon (Thanks Andrea!)
• Pompeian Red Wine Vinegar – $1
• Use $0.50/1 printable or Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 5/22 RedPlum insert not in RTD)
• As low as free after sale and coupon (Thanks Andrea!)
• Pompeian Classic Medium Olive Oil or Extra Light Olive Oil – $2.99
• Use $1/1 printable or $1/1 from 5/22 RedPlum insert (not in RTD)
• $1.99 after sale and coupon (Thanks Andrea!)
• Pepperidge Farm Rolls – $2.50
• Use $0.30/1 from 5/15 SmartSource insert (not in RTD)
• $1.90 after sale and coupon (Thanks Andrea!)

Frozen Foods:

• Select Edy’s, Nestle, or Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Products or Novelties – Buy 3 Get 1 Free
• Combine with $1/2 from 6/12 SmartSource insert (Thanks Andrea!)
• Edy’s Slow Churned or Fun Flavor Ice Cream Cup – $1.25
• Buy 3 and use $1/3 from 6/12 SmartSource insert
• $0.92 each after sale and coupon (Thanks Andrea!)
• Mrs. T’s Pierogies – $2
• Use $1/1 from June 2011 Issue of All You Magazine
• $1 after sale and coupon
• Red Baron Pizza Deep Dish Singles – $2.50
• Use $0.75/1 from 6/5 SmartSource insert
• $1.50 after sale and coupon (Thanks Andrea!)

Household:

• Brawny Paper Towels – $5.49
  • Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 5/15 RedPlum insert
  • $4.99 each after sale and coupon
• L’Oreal Vive Shampoo or Conditioner – $2.50
  • Use $0.75/1 from 7/10 RedPlum insert
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• L’Oreal Vive or Studio Styling Products – $2.50
  • Use $1/1 from 7/10 RedPlum insert
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• BiC Disposable Razors – 20% off (Prices Starting at $4.39 at the store I was in Monday)
  • Use $3/1 from 7/10 Smartsource insert
  • As low as $1.39 after sale and coupon
• BiC Soleil Razor  – 20% off (Prices Starting at $5.59 at the store I was in Monday)
  • Use $3/1 from 7/10 Smartsource insert
  • As low as $2.59 after sale and coupon
• Kleenex Facial Tissues – $1
  • Use $0.60/3 printable
  • $0.67 each after sale and coupon
• Wisk HE Original Detergent – $3.99
  • Use $2/1 from 6/26 RedPlum insert
  • $1.99 after sale and coupon
• Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $2
  • Buy 2 and use $0.50/2 printable
  • $1.50 each after sale and coupon
• Hefty OneZip Bags – $1.67
  • Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 7/10 RedPlum insert
  • $1.17 each after sale and coupon

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

MARTIN’S Buy 5 Participating Kashi Products Get $5 Off

 

Did you see this hidden on page 4 of this week’s MARTIN’S Ad? 

The deal is that if you buy 5 participating Kashi products in a single transaction with your BONUSCARD between 7/10 and 7/16/11 you get $5 off your next purchase.  (In other words you will get a Catalina coupon for $5 off your next purchase.)

Here are the participating products:

$3 – Kashi Cereal (Go Lean Crunch, Heart to Heart Cereal, or Organic Promise Cereal)

$3 – Kashi Granola Bars, Assorted Cookies, Assorted Crackers

$3 – Kashi Cereal – Golden Goodness, Honey Sunshine, or Berry Blossom

$5 – Kashi Pizza

$2.79 – Kashi Waffles

There aren’t a lot of Kashi coupons.  There is a printable for $0.75/1 Kashi Frozen Entrée or Pizza Product.  If you haven’t registered at their site before you can get some coupons. I registered a long time ago so I don’t know what is available.

You can also earn a $2/1 Kashi Product coupon from Recyclebank when you earn 125 points.  It is really easy to get points so just take a few quizzes and you can get the coupon. 

I have a booklet with some coupons that I found in a MARTIN’S this past Spring.  I don’t have the booklet any longer to take a picture, I cut the coupons out and tossed the rest in the recycling bin. 

The booklet had the following coupons (in case you were able to grab one as well):

$1/1 Any Kashi TLC Cookies

$1/1 Any Kashi Frozen Item

$1/1 Any Kashi TLC Bars

$1/1 Any Kashi Organic Biscuit Cereals (I don’t think they are included in the promotion)

$1/1 Any Kashi GoLean Cereal

$1/1 Any Kashi Crackers

Deal Scenarios:

Scenario #1:

• Buy (5) Kashi Waffles = $13.95
• Earn $5 off your next order Catalina
• Final Cost = $8.95 (or $1.79 a box)

Scenario #2:

• Buy (1) Kashi Go Lean = $3
• Buy (1) Kashi Granola Bars = $3
• Buy (1) Kashi Crackers = $3
• Buy (1) Kashi Pizza = $5
• Buy (1) Kashi Frozen Waffle = $2.79
• Subtotal = $16.79
  • Redeem the following coupons:
    • $1/1 Go Lean Cereal
    • $1/1 TLC Bars
    • $1/1 Crackers
    • $0.75/1 Pizza Printable (“doubles” to $1)
    • $1/1 Frozen Item (waffles)
• Pay  $11.79 Earn $5 off your next order Catalina
• Final Cost = $6.79

Scenario #3:

• Buy (5) Kashi Pizza = $25
• Redeem (5) $0.75/1 Printables (You will need to use multiple computers, only one coupon will “double” to $1)
• Pay $21 Earn $5 off your next order Catalina
• Final Cost = $16 (or $3.20 each)

 

Feel free to share any scenarios that you thought of or worked for you.

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

Money Maker and Free Gas at MARTIN’S

I was checking out on-line forums and other blogs this morning to see if there were any hidden deals at MARTIN’S this week.  I came across this post on forthemommas.com about Budweiser Barbecue Sauce. 

I remembered seeing the tags in MARTIN’S and seeing the information on Coupon Network last month about a $2.50 Catalina when you purchased two bottles of Budweiser Barbecue Sauce.  The Catalina was suppose to expire 7/6.  I didn’t pick-up any then because the deal didn’t make it below my price point ($0.50 or less a bottle).  I am so glad that I waited. The Catalina is still active! ***Please realize that this deal can stop without any warning, but I was able to get it at three different stores today.***

The great thing about this deal is that the Budweiser Barbecue Sauce is on sale this week for $1 each.  You earn a $2.50 Catalina for every two bottles you buy.  What makes this deal go from great to fantastic is for every 7 bottles of Budweiser Barbecue Sauce you buy, you earn $0.20/gallon, or $4 off your gas purchase (assuming you get the full 20 gallons that is available in the Richmond area.)

Here is the breakdown of the deal:

Buy 8 bottles of Budweiser Barbecue Sauce = $8

Earn (4) $2.50 Catalinas towards a future purchase and

Earn $0.20/gallon with your fuelperks!

You just made $6 – from buying barbecue sauce!

I was buying 14 bottles (after I tested the deal with 8) to get $0.40/gallon and $17.50 back in Catalinas.

I then used my Catalinas for the Sprouts Organic Baby Food deal.  The baby food is on sale this week for $0.89 each.  They are part of the Buy 4 Save $0.20/gallon fuelperks! deal.  In all three stores that I shopped in today (Westpark, John Rolfe, and Short Pump) I found a blinkie machine with coupons for Buy 3 Get 1 Free.  That brings the cost of each package down to $0.67 each. 

Here is the breakdown of the deal:

Buy 4 packages of Sprout Organic Baby Food = $3.56

Redeem Buy 3 Get 1 Free Coupon = (-$0.89)

Subtotal = $2.67

Redeem $2.50 Catalina from the Budweiser Barbecue Sauce (if you want to reduce your out of pocket)

Final Total = $0.17 (+ tax)

Earn $0.20/gallon with your fuelperks!

You just made $1.33 - from buying baby food!

I realize that not all of you reading this have young children that need or use pureed baby food, but if you want to do this deal baby food is always a welcomed item at food donation centers.

By the way – in case you are wondering. I did not clear the shelves at any of the stores I hit today.  I ended up with 36 bottles of barbecue sauce and 44 packages of baby food.  I paid a grand total of $20.25 (including tax) and earned $3.20 off per gallon with my fuelperks!  - a savings of $64 in gas!  I still have $10 in Catalinas to use on future purchases.

Please feel free to share your “brags” if you hit this deal and if you found the blinkie machine coupons at the store(s) you hit.

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

MARTIN’S Top Deals for the Week of July 10th

Click here to view an on-line version of this week’s ad. Click here for information about MARTIN’S coupon policy.  The ad and the coupon policy are for the Richmond, VA area.  There is the possibility of some variances in other areas.

Check out Money Saving Mom for my MARTIN’S top deals in addition to top deals for other grocery stores, drug stores, and discount stores from other deal seekers.

Here are what I consider to be the top deals this week at MARTIN’S.  I verify the coupons that I mention with what I receive in my local paper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch (RTD).  Coupons are regional so you may not have the exact same coupon or the same face value.  Remember what I consider to be a good deal and what you consider to be a good deal may differ.  Please feel free to leave me a comment with any deals that you find.

Also – check back on Thursday for my Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad post.

Don’t forget about the Dole promotion that I have shared in previous posts:

Save $2 Instantly When you Buy 2 Dole Salads Blends 2/$5 this week and 2 Kraft Salad Dressings (14-16oz) 2/$5 through August.  (Make sure to use the $1/2 Kraft Salad Dressings coupon that was in the 6/19 SmartSource insert with this offer for an even better deal!)

Meat:

• GIANT Brand Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters (Value Pack) – $0.89/lb
• USDA Choice New York Strip – $6.99/lb
• Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (Value Pack) – 50% off ($2.44/lb at the store I was in Monday)
• Steak-umm Sliced Steaks (24oz) – Buy One Get One Free ($9.99 at the store I was in Monday)
• Pork Loin Bone-In Country Style Ribs (Value Pack) – $1.99/lb
• Fresh Pork Chops Econo-Pack – $1.69/lb
• Banquet Brown ‘N Serve Sausage Links or Patties – $1

Produce:

• Driscoll’s Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, or Blackberries – $2
  • Sign-up here for a $0.50/1 coupon
  • $1 after sale and coupon
• Dole Special Blend Salad or Complete Kit – $2.50
• Tomatoes on the Vine – $1.49/lb
• Foxy Romaine Hearts – $2
• Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob – $0.20
• Fresh Virginia Blackberries – $2.99/lb
• Fresh Green Peppers – $0.99
• Fresh Cucumbers – $2
• Fresh Lemons or Limes – $0.50
• Fresh Kiwi – $0.33
• Seedless Hot House Cucumbers – $2
• Green or Yellow Squash – $1.49/lb

Dairy/Refrigerated Items:

• GIANT Shredded or Chunk Cheese – $1.67
• GIANT Grade A Large White Eggs – $1.29/dozen

Grocery: (I am going to write a separate post about the Kashi Deal)

Check out this post for how to get paid to buy Budweiser Barbecue Sauce and get free gas from buying Sprout Organic Baby Food

• Barilla Pasta – $1
  • $1/2 Barilla Piccolini from 6/26 SmartSource insert (not in RTD)
  • Use $1 off on Package Barilla Pasta and 1 jar Barilla Pasta Sauce in Summer Savings Booklet
  • As low as $0.50 a box after sale and coupon
• Thomas; English Muffins (6-pack) – 50% off ($1.89 at the store I was in Monday)
• Pepperidge Farm Cookies – 50% off ($1.74 at the store I was in Monday)
  • Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 6/26 SmartSource insert
  • $1.24 each after sale and coupon
• GIANT Brand Cereals – $1.99
  • Buy 5 in one transaction and get $5 off instantly
  • $0.99 each after sale
• Glaceau Vitamin Water – $0.88 (Must buy 5)
• Clif or Luna Bar – $1
• Chi-Chi’s Tortillas – $1.50
  • Use $0.50/1 from 6/12 SmartSource insert
  • $0.50 after sale and coupon
• Chi-Chi’s Salsa – $2.50
  • Use $0.50/1 from SmartSource insert
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Wish-Bone Salad Dressing – $1.25
• Nature Valley Granola Bars – $2.50
  • Buy 2 and use $0.50/2 from 5/22 SmartSource insert or $0.85/2 printable  or  $0.75/2 printable
  • $2 each after sale and coupon
• Nature Valley Granola Thins – $2.50
  • Use $0.50/1 from 6/26 SmartSource insert or $0.60/1 printable or $0.50/1 printable
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Budweiser Barbecue Sauce – $1
• Sprout Organic Baby Food – $0.89

Frozen Foods:

• Edy’s, Nestle, or Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Products or Novelties – Buy 3 Get 1 Free
• Mrs. T’s Pierogies – $2
  • Use $1/1 from June 2011 Issue of All You Magazine
  • $1 after sale and coupon

Household:

• Brawny Paper Towels – $5.49
  • Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 5/15 RedPlum insert
  • $4.99 each after sale and coupon
• L’Oreal Vive Shampoo or Conditioner – $2.50
  • Use $0.75/1 from 7/10 RedPlum insert
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• L’Oreal Vive or Studio Styling Products – $2.50
  • Use $1/1 from 7/10 RedPlum insert
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• BiC Disposable Razors – 20% off (Prices Starting at $4.39 at the store I was in Monday)
  • Use $3/1 from 7/10 Smartsource insert
  • As low as $1.39 after sale and coupon
• BiC Soleil Razor  – 20% off (Prices Starting at $5.59 at the store I was in Monday)
  • Use $3/1 from 7/10 Smartsource insert
  • As low as $2.59 after sale and coupon
• Kleenex Facial Tissues – $1
  • Use $0.60/3 printable
  • $0.67 each after sale and coupon
• Wisk HE Original Detergent – $3.99
  • Use $2/1 from 6/26 RedPlum insert
  • $1.99 after sale and coupon
• Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $2
  • Buy 2 and use $0.50/2 printable
  • $1.50 each after sale and coupon
• Hefty OneZip Bags – $1.67
  • Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 7/10 RedPlum insert
  • $1.17 each after sale and coupon

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

My CVS Trip

Shelf Total (before markdowns, sales, coupons, or tax): $20.16

I redeemed $8 in CVS ExtraBucks.

Final Total (after markdowns, sales, coupons, before tax): $0.00

Total Savings: $20.16 (100%) I only paid $0.70 in tax!

I earned $5 in CVS ExtraBucks to use on future transactions from my purchases and my Green Bag Tag.

My Target Trip

Shelf Total (before markdowns, sales, coupons, or tax): $49.44

I redeemed $10 in Target Gift cards.

Final Total (after markdowns, sales, coupons, and before tax): $5

Total Savings: $44.44 (89.8%)

I earned $15 in Target gift cards to use on future transactions.

My Weekly Grocery Shopping

We were out of town with family for the Fourth of July and I saw my cousin, a fellow couponer.  She asked me if I brought my coupons with me (of course I did), and shared a terrific promotion that General Mills and Catalina had at Farm Fresh (a grocery store in the Tidewater area) with Nature Valley Granola Bars.  I ended up with 20 boxes of Nature Valley Granola Bars and 10 items that were part of a buy 10 and save $5 instantly sale.  I failed to get a picture before I put them away. 

(5 Separate Transactions to “roll” the Catalinas and double all of my coupons)

Shelf Total (before markdowns, sales, coupons, or tax): $63.90

Final Total (after markdowns, sales, coupons, before tax): $11.61

Total Savings: $52.29 (81.8%)

I left with $7 in Catalinas with Manufacturer Coupon printed at the top to use on future purchases.

I recently signed up with Dominion Harvest, a company that delivers fresh seasonal produce from local sustainable farms.  I signed up for the Commonwealth Box ($37) and the bi-weekly option to give it a try.  I got my first box delivered this past Wednesday.  They also sent me an e-mail on Thursday with recipes that featured the fresh produce.

My Produce Box:

 

I hit MARTIN’S Friday afternoon.

My MARTIN’S Trip (4 Separate Self Check-out Transactions):

Shelf Total (before markdowns, sales, coupons, or tax): $49.30

Final Total (after markdowns, sales, coupons, before tax): $5.74

Total Savings: $43.56 (88%)

I left with $8 in Catalinas and 2 vouchers worth $4 towards a gallon of milk.

Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad

Menu planning and saving money really can go hand-in-hand.  It is important to realize that you can still enjoy some of your family’s favorite meals by menu planning with a sales flyer, you just need to be flexible. 

I am including ideas and recipes for four meals this week.  I have found that I really only cook on average four meals a week and that we end up having at least one left-over night, one meal out, and something easy like homemade pizza or breakfast for dinner.

Coupons mentioned in this post that do not state where you can find them are listed in my weekly top deals post.  Feel free to check it out for deals on other items that you can pick-up to fill your refrigerator or pantry for less.

I wanted to write a post about grilled chicken with the deals this week on GIANT Brand Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks ($1/lb), Split Chicken Breast ($0.99/lb), and Chicken Leg Quarters ($0.89/lb).

I was searching for grilling recipes and discovered this great video about how to grill great chicken. 

When we grill up chicken I like to prepare extra to use throughout the week.  Here are some ideas to make your grilled chicken into a new meal for the next night.

Grilled Chicken Summer Salad:

I have shared before that we enjoy the summer salads that incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables.  It is just as easy to make this type of salad for an individual or for your family.  After grilling your chicken allow it to cool, remove it from the bone and slice it.  Start your salad with a base of greens, whatever you prefer, then add your sliced chicken.  There are lots of options for fresh fruit on sale this week – strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.  I sometimes add canned fruit like pineapple or mandarin oranges.  I have seen restaurants offer similar salads with either a poppy seed dressing or some sort of vinaigrette like a balsamic or raspberry.  You can really add whatever you like to the salad if you want some crunch add croutons, sunflower seeds, or toasted nuts.  If you are a cheese lover this type of salad is great with some blue cheese or feta cheese.  It really depends on what is in season and on hand.   You can easily adjust it to work for what your family likes and dislikes. 

Chicken Quesadillas:

This is another meal that you can make for one person or you can make for your whole family.  It is so simple – just slice or shred your chicken after it has been cooked and removed from the bone.  Place a tortilla on a flat surface and sprinkle cheese over it.  (If you don’t have tortillas there is a coupon for the Chi-Chi Tortillas in the 6/12 SmartSource insert.  The Sargento Shredded Cheese is $2 a bag this week.) Once you have covered the tortilla with cheese sprinkle some of the chicken over the cheese, you can add a little salsa also if you like, then add a little bit more cheese.  Top with a second tortilla and heat in a pan or a griddle like you would a grilled cheese sandwich, or microwave for 30-60 seconds or until the cheese is melted.  Serve it with a side of salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or whatever else you want.  You can add a side of rice and refried beans or black beans if you want a complete meal. 

Chicken Salad:

This is a recipe that you can play with to make it work for your family.  Chicken salad can easily be served in a lettuce cup, on a croissant, in a tortilla wrap, or on a hearty bread.  It makes a great lunch or a light dinner.  You can serve it with a side of fruit or chips – either way it will be great. 

Pasta Salad:

I came across this recipe for an Asian pasta salad and I can’t wait to make it myself.  I recently bought a bottle of sesame oil because I have read several recipes that call for it that I want to try.  This one is being added to the list.  I read several of the reviews and they added their own spin on this salad with different vegetables that they had on hand or were plentiful at the time.  The one thing they all seemed to agree on is that the dressing is great.  It looks like it could easily be a complete summer meal, or you could add a side of veggies to make it one.  

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

MARTIN’S–Kellogg’s Cereal Deal

 

Did you see this on the front page of this week’s ad?

 

The graphic is hard to read (I copied it from the on-line version of the ad.) Here is the fineprint:

Buy Any 4 Kellogg’s Cereals In One Visit with Your BONUSCARD, excludes Single Serve Cups and Discontinued Items, and get $6 off Your Kellogg’s Cereal Purchase Offer valid 7/3-7/9/11.  Also get $4 off a Gallon of Milk on your next Shopping Order.

Remember – $6 off of 4 boxes translates into save $1.50 off each box!  You can also use manufacturer coupons with this deal.  It really is almost free cereal by the time you factor in the savings you also get from the milk.

I found out last week when there was a similar promotion with General Mills cereal that you can buy multiples of 4 in one transaction and get the $6 off each set of four boxes that you purchase.  I did read on-line that one person had trouble getting the second milk Catalina when she bought 8 boxes of cereal.  I personally like to do these deals in separate transactions in the event that my coupons are less than $1 and will double.  This allows me to maximize the number of coupons that double and minimize my out of pocket cost.  I also like to have separate transactions so that I can make sure that all of the discounts I am expecting come off my transaction. 

Here are some coupons that are available to help you maximize your savings:

• $1/2 Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, Raisin Bran Crunch, or Raisin Bran Extra Cereal (11.5oz or larger) from 6/12 RedPlum insert
• $0.75/2 Any packages of Kellogg’s Cereals (8.7oz or larger) from 6/5 RedPlum insert
• $0.70/1 Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Cereal
• $1/2 Kellogg’s Special K Cereal
• $1/2 Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut Cereal
• $1/2 Kellogg’s FiberPlus Cereal
• $1/2 Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Cereal
• $1/2 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies and/or Cocoa Krispies Cereals

Feel free to “brag” and share any scenarios that you were able to work out with this deal.

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

Change your Homepage and Help Raise Money for Compassion International

I have shared in the past that one of my favorite blogs to read is Money Saving Mom.  Crystal (the author and owner of MSM) was given an opportunity to give $10,000 to the charity of her choice from Yahoo! in exchange for her asking readers to change their homepage to Yahoo! for two days.  If you follow this link to her post she gives you the details of the organization.  In addition to the donation from Yahoo! Crystal and her husband are donating $1 for every reader who changes their homepage and leaves her a comment.  This is such a great organization and cause, please consider changing your homepage.  (If you already use Yahoo! as your homepage just leave her a comment that you already have Yahoo! as your homepage and she will still donate.)

Thanks!

~Ann

MARTIN’S Top Deals for the Week of July 3rd

Click here to view an on-line version of this week’s ad. Click here for information about MARTIN’S coupon policy.  The ad and the coupon policy are for the Richmond, VA area.  There is the possibility of some variances in other areas.

Check out Money Saving Mom for my MARTIN’S top deals in addition to top deals for other grocery stores, drug stores, and discount stores from other deal seekers.

Here are what I consider to be the top deals this week at MARTIN’S.  I verify the coupons that I mention with what I receive in my local paper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch (RTD).  Coupons are regional so you may not have the exact same coupon or the same face value.  Remember what I consider to be a good deal and what you consider to be a good deal may differ.  Please feel free to leave me a comment with any deals that you find.

Also – check back on Thursday for my Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad post.

Don’t forget about the Dole promotion that I have shared in previous posts:

Save $2 Instantly When you Buy 2 Dole Salads Blends 2/$5 this week and 2 Kraft Salad Dressings (14-16oz) 2/$5 through August.  (Make sure to use the $1/2 Kraft Salad Dressings coupon that was in the 6/19 SmartSource insert with this offer for an even better deal!)